I’m Mitch Matthews and this episode is kicking off a 4 part series called, “The gift of being fully present.” These will be four short episodes… all under 15 minutes… specifically designed to help you to live more fully in the PRESENT during this holiday season.  It is so important… especially THIS year.  I mean… seriously… with 2020… it would be soooooo easy to be caught up in the past… of visions of what could have been.  And with all the potential questions about the future… we could get buried in the worries and anxiousness of what could be around the corner for 2021 and beyond!  But as you know… if you’re a DREAM THINK DOER… I believe that although this year has been a wild ride… I believe the people who are INTENTIONAL with their thoughts… as well as their habits and their resulting actions… we can even make a year like 2020… an amazing year!  More importantly… if we do this right… we can fully live in the moment and soak up incredible experiences over this holiday season.  That means loving well, bringing excellence, having fun, taking action as well as resting and finding a sense of peace… even amid all the craziness of this year!  Plus… I think if we get our thought life right… we can make 2021 our best year yet… no matter what kind of curve balls get thrown our way.  I know… it’s a tall order… especially with the goal of keeping each episode under 15 minutes… but we’re going to do it… AND we’re going to have some fun as we do this thing too.  So let’s get to this!

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:

But let’s talk about being present… fully present.  Being fully IN THE MOMENT.  We know this is important.  Heck… this is something that’s been written about...  talked about… and encouraged for centuries! 

Here are some examples:

“Children have neither a past nor a future. 

Thus they enjoy the present, which seldom happens to us.”

- Jean de La Bruyère

 

“Live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, 

find eternity in each moment.” 

-  Henry David Thoreau

 

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow,

so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”  

- Dalai Lama

 

“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. 

Each moment is all we need, not more.” - Mother Teresa

 

Scripture: 

Philippians 4:6-7  

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”

 

 “Wherever you are, be all there.” -Jim Elliot

 

So… yes… being fully present has been talked about for a very long time… and that makes sense… right?  Because when we’re able to achieve it… life is richer.

We’ve all had those moments of being FULLY PRESENT.  Maybe it was intentional.  Maybe it was the result of really working hard to be IN THE MOMENT… and you were able to have this amazing conversation with a friend.  Or maybe it was because of an event.  Maybe it was a vacation… or a tough life experience… and you found yourself caught up in the jaw dropping beauty of a sunrise… or the simple beauty of changing leaves on a tree.  Or… a holiday… when you had one of those moments that you cherish… not because it was Hallmark Christmas Movie perfect… but because it was messy… and unorganized… but you were able to connect with someone and it was something you’ll never forget.

But it’s those moments that can be amazing!

Now… in our NEXT episode, we’re going to cover some quick brain science to talk about two competing components of your brain that are fighting FOR and AGAINST you living in the moment… and more importantly… we’ll learn a specific strategy for winning that battle.  BUT for this episode… I’m going to give you a question.

This simple question has been a game-changer for me as of late.

 

The question is… 

“What am I doing… right now?”

Okay… okay… I’m guessing that might feel a little underwhelming… but stick with me.  Here’s a story… to help set up the question.  A few months ago… I was walking down some stairs and I almost tripped and fell.  Not because there was something on the stairs.  Not because there was a puddle of water that I slipped on… Not because someone pushed me.  Nope.  I almost fell… because I was walking down the stairs AND checking my email on my phone.

Yeah… at the same time.

Now… I’m grateful to say I didn’t get hurt and luckily no one was around to see it happen.  But that was a serious wake-up call.

I had a problem.  I mean… I’m busy and my schedule is full… but somehow I’d convinced myself that checking my email was as important as walking down a flight of stairs.  Hello?  In what world does that make sense?  And hey… we’re all about being real here… so I’m guessing you know exactly what I’m talking about.  Whether it’s checking email while on a staircase, or… checking texts while you’re in a meeting… or… checking your social media feed in the weirdest places like the bathroom or in the kitchen when you’re with your family or friends.   

This isn’t new… and, I’m not saying that email is bad… or texting is bad… or social media is bad… in and of itself.  BUT when it pulls us away from what we WANT and… or… what we NEED to be doing… it’s something we need to get intentional about.

So... with this episode… I just wanted to get you this question to experiment with.

The question is… 

“What am I doing… right now?”

 

I’ve started to use this to just draw me back to the moment.

I started with my phone.  Yeah… I started with those moments where I was tempted to grab my phone… or heck… when I was just getting started with this process… I would just find my phone in my hand… not even remembering I’d grabbed it.  That’s when I would stop and ask myself, “What am I doing… right now?”  That simple question helps you to bring your thoughts back… and to intentionally choose to overcome something we’ll call the “Distraction Habit.”  

By the way, we’ll talk more about that “Distraction Habit” in the next episode too!  So get ready.  But for now… just experiment.  

 

Let’s get specific.  Here’s the experiment.

 

STEP 1: When you catch yourself reaching for your phone

STEP 2: ASK THE QUESTION: “What am I doing… right now?”

STEP 3: THEN… follow up a simple deep breath in… and a deep breath out.  

 

Let’s see what happens with using that simple little question to bring you back to your present moment.

The goal is not necessarily massive change… but the goal is to start to be intentional about grabbing a hold of specific moments in time.  Moments that might have been lost otherwise.

“What am I doing… right now?”  Ask it.  Breath.  And just see where it takes you.

I can’t wait to hear from you.

 

EPISODE MINUTE BY MINUTE

• 0:02 What to expect this month
• 1:51 Let’s get our thought life right
• 3:45 Mitch’s favorite quotes regarding this topic
• 4:39 Mitch’s favorite verse regarding this topic
• 7:40 The question of the day
• 9:30 Experiencing the gift of being present
• 11:44 A tool to bring you back to the moment

 

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Let me know how the experiment goes.

Hit me up on social media… or leave a comment below.  Let me know what happens as you start to catch yourself and ask that simple but powerful question.

Oh… and since we’re diving into this subject of the GIFT OF BEING FULLY PRESENT all month… comment and let me know some of your favorite strategies for being fully present and in the moment too!

If I use your idea… I’ll be sure to give you a shout out in the episode!  

Lastly, be sure to invite your friends and family to join us for the series.  Let’s share the love and help more people to live in the moment too!  I can’t wait to see where this takes us!

Dr. Donny is an incredibly interesting person.  In fact, he defies a simple title or label.  For example, he’s a doctor of clinical psychology and he practiced as a clinical psychologist and taught for over a decade. Then he packed up and pursued a dream.  He moved to LA with no connections but his passion for story and his fascination with the human journey led him to his current career as both an Emmy-award winning producer and director as well as a poet.  As a producer, he’s worked on unscripted television, including CNN’s United Shades of America, TV One’s R&B Divas, ABC’s The Bachelor and his current project is Season 2 of Apple TV’s series simply called “Dear…”  AND as a POET… Donny has been a staple of the poetry and spoken word communities over the past two decades.  In fact, his new poetry collection called, “Boy” was recently published and is available wherever books are sold!  It’s an amazing conversation and I think you’re going to love it.

RESOURCES:

• Website: donnyjacksonpoetry.com/
• His book: donnyjacksonpoetry.com/boy/ 
• Facebook:www.facebook.com/donnyjacksonpoetry
• Instagram:www.instagram.com/doctordonny
• Poetry Album: donnyjackson.hearnow.com 

 

Dr. Donny is currently the Show Runner for Apple TV’s “Dear…” Click Here to watch.

 

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:54 Meet Dr. Donny
• 4:00 Dr. Donny’s least favorite question
• 9:32 Breaking down a big goal into small steps
• 14:18 Dr. Donny’s first job
• 18:58 How to sit down and have a great writing session
• 22:48 How Donny keep the creativity flowing
• 29:52 Giving yourself challenges
• 32:57 Dr. Donny’s advice for someone with a dream
• 37:24 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

 

WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!:

So… what did YOU think?  I’d love to hear from you.  What’s something that stood out to you from Donny’s perspective and stories?  What struck you about his approach to life… and more specifically… his approach to his dream of living in LA?  Comment and let me know.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU! www.mitchmatthews.com/301

 

Welcome to episode 300 of DREAM THINK DO! This is going to be a little like a party.  We're going to reminisce, tell some stories and celebrate.  BUT I also want to get you some specific strategies we haven't covered on any DREAM THINK DO episode before.  (Because it wouldn’t be a DTD… if we didn’t get you something you could start to use immediately… right?)  A conversation... you and me.  Some stories.  Some brand new strategies.  This is going to be fun... so let's get to this!

 

RESOURCES:

EPISODES MITCH REFERS TO:  

Punch Worry in the Face with Mitch:

• www.mitchmatthews.com/002

Special Effects Artist: Howard Berger:

• www.mitchmatthews.com/074 
• www.mitchmatthews.com/184  

Actor and Director: J Lee

• www.mitchmatthews.com/228 

Author and Speaker: Antonio Neves

• www.mitchmatthews.com/004 

Mitch’s “The 5 C’s of an Effective Mastermind”

• www.mitchmatthews.com/120

Social Media Expert: Drew McLellan

• www.mitchmatthews.com/112

Speaker and Author: Adam Carroll

• www.mitchmatthews.com/106
• www.mitchmatthews.com/037

ADAM’S TEDx TALK:

• www.mitchmatthews.com/300

MORE ABOUT THE EPISODE:

Thanks SO much for the emails and the messages.  I sooooo appreciate you guys!  I had planned to incorporate them into the show, but as I started to “DREAM” and “THINK” about the show… I started to reimagine it and the way it would go.  So... it took a different direction.  Just know that I’ll be getting back to each of you that sent emails and messages personally to say THANK YOU!!!

DREAM: 300 EPISODES 

Our average length of the show is 40 minutes.  So, over the years... that’s about 12,000 of interviews, deep dives, stories, strategies and fun!  About 200 hours.  About 5 years.

Lot’s of ups and downs, but as we’ll discuss in the episode, I’ve learned to:

“Begin.  Hold loosely.   Experiment.  Cherish the FUN surprises as you go!”

THINK: SPECIFIC STRATEGY: LOVE, FEAR, the BIBLE and the BRAIN:

I mention the scripture from 1 John 4:18a

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.”

We also talk about a specific strategy from Kyle Cease’ book... “The Illusion of Money.”

It’s something that is designed to help you to get comfortable with the unknown (and some of the things that scare you) and realize the opportunity within them.

Here’s Kyle talking about the strategy: www.mitchmatthews.com/300

So it’s using the phrase “___________ and I love that.” to explore the present moment.  ESPECIALLY if you’re experiencing fear in that present moment.

So… you can use it in some different ways.  In the episode, I apply it to my Jeep Wrangler… as well as THIS episode. 

A Quick Caveat:

If you're in an abusive relationship or if you're hurting yourself... THIS is not the strategy to use.  Instead… get help.  Reach out to me and my team… or to someone close to you that you trust.  But seriously… get some help!

But for everyone else!!!  Try it!

DO: THE POWER OF EXPERIMENTING

It’s not going to surprise you that we’re talking about the importance of EXPERIMENTING.  It’s one of my favorite topics.

TWO QUICK IDEAS:

IDEA ONE: DON’T WAIT FOR PERFECTION

“Don’t wait until you can hit all home runs.  

Focus on hitting singles and doubles consistently.  

Get on base.  Time and after time.  

Learn the game.  

Grow.  Have fun. 

And… in time... the home runs will come too!  

It applies to winning baseball teams AND to pursuing your dreams!”

 

IDEA TWO: SHARE YOUR DREAM 

Include a “PS” in your emails letting people know about one of your dreams or goals.

EXAMPLE:

NAME,

PS - One of my dreams is to ___________.  If you know someone who could help me with this pursuit in a big or small way, please let me know.  I would really appreciate it!

So it’s using the phrase “___________ and I love that.” to explore the present moment.  ESPECIALLY if you’re experiencing fear in that present moment.

So… you can use it in some different ways.  In the episode, I apply it to my Jeep Wrangler… as well as THIS episode. 

A Quick Caveat:

If you're in an abusive relationship or if you're hurting yourself... THIS is not the strategy to use.  Instead… get help.  Reach out to me and my team… or to someone close to you that you trust.  But seriously… get some help!

But for everyone else!!!  Try it!

DO: THE POWER OF EXPERIMENTING

It’s not going to surprise you that we’re talking about the importance of EXPERIMENTING.  It’s one of my favorite topics.

TWO QUICK IDEAS:

IDEA ONE: DON’T WAIT FOR PERFECTION

“Don’t wait until you can hit all home runs.  

Focus on hitting singles and doubles consistently.  

Get on base.  Time and after time.  

Learn the game.  

Grow.  Have fun. 

And… in time... the home runs will come too!  

It applies to winning baseball teams AND to pursuing your dreams!”

 

IDEA TWO: SHARE YOUR DREAM 

Include a “PS” in your emails letting people know about one of your dreams or goals.

EXAMPLE:

NAME,

PS - One of my dreams is to ___________.  If you know someone who could help me with this pursuit in a big or small way, please let me know.  I would really appreciate it!

 

SHOW NOTES:

MINUTE BY MINUTE

• 0:02 What do expect today
• 3:03 The origins of Dream, think, do.
• 8:20 You have permission to dream 
• 15:16 Setbacks into setups
• 19:41 Thinking back through the gifts that have come along the way
• 26:33 Getting our thinking straight
• 32:05 Love really can overtake the fear
• 40:17 It’s amazing what hope can do in the mind
• 42:48 Doing and permission to experiment
• 46:34 Go after the singles and doubles consistently
• 49:33 The power of sharing your dreams
• 56:11 Mitch’s final thoughts

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Now’s the time I want to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment and let me know a favorite memory from a DREAM THINK DO episode.  Or let me know how you might use the “_____________ and I love it” strategy.  Or share what your new “PS” is going to be.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!!!

Kara Goldin is my guest today.  As many of you know, Kara is the CEO and founder of HINT Water.  She’s also the author of a bestselling brand new book called, “Undaunted – Overcoming Doubts and Doubters.â€Â  In the book… she tells the story of how she defied the odds and her own fears to start and build HINT, which is the fastest-growing flavored water brand in America. 

By the way, she didn’t have elite credentials.  She didn’t have insider knowledge.  She didn’t have high-level connections in the industry. Oh… and by the way… as she was starting HINT was pregnant with her 4th kid.  Surprise!!!  But… as you’ll hear… whenever she faced an obstacle, she wouldn’t give up… she kept moving forward… she was undaunted.  And that’s what she wants for you too!  It’s an amazing story… and I can’t wait to dive into it.

RESOURCES:

• Kara’s Book: Undaunted Click here
• Hint Water: www.drinkhint.com
• Kara’s Website: karagoldin.com/undaunted
• Kara on Instagram: www.instagram.com/karagoldin

 

MORE ABOUT KARA GOLDIN AND THE EPISODE:

Before we get to the interview, I want to give you just a little more background on Kara:

• Fast Company named her to their “Most Creative People in Business†List
• Fortune put her on their “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs†List
• The Huffington Post listed her as one of six major disruptors in business… alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. 

Previously, Kara was Vice President of Shopping and E-commerce Partnerships at AOL, where she helped lead the growth of its startup shopping business to a $1B enterprise. 

She has appeared on the TODAY show, CNBC-TV, Fox Business, Bloomberg TV, ABC News, and Extra TV. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“Don’t think about what you can’t do.  Figure out what you can do.  Then do it to the best of your ability.â€Â  – Kara Goldin

“In business… a no is a maybe… and maybe is a yes.†– Kara Goldin 

 

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 3:25 Meet Kara
• 5:31 Why Kara’s book is important now
• 11:00 How Kara’s journey started
• 17:00 When Kara met her husband
• 19:42 Think outside of your industry
• 27:10 Success can be dangerous
• 30:02 When Kara decided to solve a problem
• 33:36 How to connect with Kara
• 34:24 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

What did you think?  What’s something that stood out to you from what Kara said?  Hit me up.  Drop a comment and let me know.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!

 

Dre Baldwin is my guest.  His story and his approach to life will inspire you!  In high school, he wanted to play basketball… but he barely made the cut.  He committed himself to learning, growing, and adapting.  In just 5 years, Dre went from the end of the bench and no game time… to a contract to play professional basketball. 

THEN, during his 9-year career as a professional player…  Dre pioneered new genres of personal branding and entrepreneurship.  And… thanks to all his hard work on and off the court… Dre’s online content has been viewed over 73 million times and he’s appeared in national campaigns with Nike, Finish Line, Wendy’s, and Gatorade… just to name a few. 

It takes a TON of energy to do what Dre does daily.  So we’re going to talk about what it takes to gain and maintain UNSTOPPABLE energy… even in 2020!  I’m excited to have him on. So let’s get to this!

RESOURCES:

• Dre’s FREE GIFT: MirrorOfMotivation.com
• Dre’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/drebaldwin
• Dre’s website: dreallday.com

MORE ABOUT DRE AND THE DRE BALDWIN EPISODE:

Dre’s been busy cranking out content to help people WORK ON THEIR GAME on and off the court.

Let’s run the numbers… so you know what I’m talking about here: 

In 2005… he started blogging.

In 2006… he started publishing videos on this little known website called “YouTube.â€Â  (Heard of it?)

Since then… he’s published over 7,000 videos to 130,000+ subscribers… and get this… his content has been viewed over 73 million times to date.

In 2016, he launched his DAILY “Work On Your Game†Podcast.  Since then… he’s published over 1,500 episodes and has had more than 3 million downloads.

Impressive right?  

Well… we’re not done.  

Let’s throw in some more numbers.

Dre has given 4 TED Talks on Discipline, Confidence, Mental Toughness & Personal Initiative.

He’s authored 27 books. 

And as I mentioned earlier, thanks to all this work… he’s appeared in national campaigns with Nike, Finish Line, Wendy’s, and Gatorade… just to name a few.

Obviously… it takes a LOT of energy to put out this level of content on a consistent basis.  So, I talk with Dre about his specific strategies for gaining and maintaining UNSTOPPABLE energy… even in 2020!

MINUTE BY MINUTE: 

• • • 0:02 What to expect today
    • 1:21 Are you a coach? Check this out!
    • 2:40 Meet Dre
    • 4:53 How Dre went “all-in” on his dream
    • 13:44 3 reasons Dre decided to be a content creator
    • 19:02 What helps Dre stay energized
    • 21:02 The discipline of getting the job done
    • 23:33 The importance of positive self-talk
    • 25:28 Dre’s set of commitments
    • 29:30 How the awareness of life and death affects your performance
    • 31:40 Dre’s advice for you
    • 38:00 Mitch’s biggest takeaway
      

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

What do YOU think?  I want to hear from YOU!  What’s something that struck you about Dre’s story and outlook?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!

Stu Massengill is a speaker and podcaster.  He’s helping Millennial and Gen Z high achievers to communicate and connect at new levels.  Surprisingly, he started his career as a shy kid whose biggest fear was public speaking.  But after pushing himself to speak more… he slowly fell in love with it. And he started to build a network that changed everything. 

Since then, Stu has been on stages around the country. Speaking to anywhere from 10 to 10,000… where he talks about the importance of improved communication and exceptional networking skills.  As you’ll hear in the conversation, Stu Massengill has some powerful and practical strategies for connecting with people and growing your network… EVEN in a pandemic.  I think you’re going to love it… so let’s get to it!

 

RESOURCES:

• Stu’s Podcast: www.stumassengill.com/findingdirection
• Stu’s Website: www.stumassengill.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/stumassengill

 

MORE ABOUT THE STU MASSENGILL EPISODE:

Hello and welcome to episode 297 of DREAM THINK DO.  

Today… we’re talking about a wildly important subject… but it’s one that you might not have been thinking about for a while.  And that is: networking and meeting new people.

That’s right… Networking and connecting even during a pandemic!

As you well know… growing your network of amazing people is critical.

In fact, friend and frequent Dream Think Do guest, Bob Burg (mitchmatthews.com/268/)  is known for saying: 

“The single greatest “people skill” is a highly developed 

& authentic interest in the *other* person.â€

Author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,†Robert Kiyosaki says, 

“The richest people in the world look for and build networks,

 everyone else looks for work. Marinate on that for a minute.â€

Successful CEO Sallie L. Krawcheck says,

“Networking is the No. 1 unwritten rule of success in business.â€Â 

Plus, like we’ve talked about in previous episodes of DREAM THINK DO… the best time to build your network is when you don’t need it.  That’s so you can lean on it… especially when life throws you a curveball… and you need some help!

So yes… networking is critical… building relationships is essential.  HOWEVER… we need to talk about the elephant in the room. #suckitcovid.  

TRUTH: It’s harder to network and connect right now.

TRUTH: But just because it’s tougher to do… doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing it!

And heck… if you are doing it now… that’s just one more thing you can be doing to set yourself apart!!!

Our guest, Stu Massengill is a speaker and podcaster who’s helping the world… especially our younger generations… to network and connect.  It may or may not surprise you… but he started out as a shy kid whose biggest fear was public speaking and meeting new people.

  But after pushing through his fears and learning some of the strategies we’re talking about, he slowly fell in love with both. And these strategies allowed him to build a network that changed everything.  He started to meet his heroes. 

People like Action Sports Moguls Rob and Bryianna Dyrdeck, Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, and Best Selling Author and international speaker, Tony Robbins.  Heck, his relationship with Tony grew and so now they’re friends and Stu gets to speak on stage with Tony at events around the country.  

Plus, all of this inspired him to launch his own podcast called “Finding Direction,†which helps millennials and Gen Zers to find direction.  And that is how we connected… because Stu Massengill invited me to be on his show.  We had sooooo much fun… I wanted to turn the mics around to get more of HIS story… and share his insights and strategies with YOU!   

But that’s what good connecting and networking does… right?  It builds relationships and it inspires people to help each other out… and share the good stuff.  So let’s get to the specifics.

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 2:41 Introducing Stu Massengill
• 4:18 Stu discusses overcoming shyness
• 7:25 Strategies to employ for great networking
• 12:38 Using F.O.R.M and finding common ground with others
• 13:43 2 ways to start a conversation
• 16:08 Getting out of your own way
• 19:46  Loose ties vs strong  ties
• 22:10 Adding value to your relationships
• 23:40 The importance of “loose tie” relationships
• 24:43 Final thoughts
• 27:54 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you think?  What’s a strategy you’re going to use?  More importantly… join in the conversation. 

Do you think it’s important to still be networking and growing new and deeper relationships during this pandemic?  If so… what’s one of YOUR favorite strategies to be using right now? 

If not, let us know why.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment below and let’s TALK!

Katy Kvalvik is our guest.  A few years ago… two consecutive accidents caused Katy to sustain multiple life-altering injuries that forced her to relearn almost everything… including how to walk.  As you can imagine, that experience of intentionally needing to put her mind and body back together inspired her to embark on an international journey to learn holistic mind, body, and spirit wellness. 

Today, Katy has dedicated her life to sharing everything that she’s learned to empower others in their own wellness journeys… as well as finding peace no matter what… whether that’s in the living room or the board room. We’ve got lots to dig into… so let’s get to this.

RESOURCES:

• Katy’s website: KatyKvalvik.com
• More on Katy’s Approach to Powerful (and peaceful) Listening: katykvalvik.com
• Katy Kvalvik’s Instagram: instagram.com
• Katy Kvalvik’s Facebook: facebook.com/HarmonyMethod 

MORE ABOUT THE KATY KVALVIK EPISODE:

In the episode, we dig into powerful and specific strategies to help you achieve a sense of peace and presence… no matter the situation.  (Yeah… even in 2020!)

One of the surprising but powerful concepts Katy brings up is the importance of effective listening.  Which makes sense… right?  Better listening = better relationships… which helps bring a sense of peace.  Also, effective listening can = being more present.  So, although I’d not really thought about it… but listening is a key strategy when it comes to having a sense of peace and being fully present.  

Here’s a bit more of what we talked about: 

Four Stages of Listening:

Stage 0: This is when no listening is happening. Only speaking. Everyone’s talking but no one is listening.  Ever been there? #nopeace 

Stage 1: Subjective Listening

This is the stage where 95% of conversations happen. We take in information subjectively and only hear it through our own experiences.

Stage 2: Listening but Not in the Present Moment

In this stage, some listening is happening, but we’re distracted. We’re not really WITH the person who’s talking.  And as you know… this can totally create a disconnect and can even induce a sense of anxiety or anxiousness.  

Stage 3: Objective Active Listening

This is where the listener is completely focused on the other person. This is a great stage for problem-solving because you’re looking at the facts of what is being said.

Stage 4: Intuitive Listening

This is the highest stage of listening.  It happens when the listener is really honing in and connecting to the real message of the conversation. The listener is paying FULL attention to the words as well as the body language, tone of voice, energy level, etc. As you can imagine, true intuitive listening is listening between the lines.

MINUTE BY MINUTE: 

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:55 When everything changed for Katy
• 4:45 Being internally committed to healing
• 6:40 What Katy has learned during the pandemic
• 7:47 How to get clarity
• 8:37 Breathing and meditation
• 11:31 How to be a better listener
• 13:44 How breathing and listening are connected
• 15:02 Strategy to help with resilience
• 17:02 Get in contact with Katy
• 28:57 Mitch’s biggest takeaway

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you think of what Katy had to say?  What’s something you’re going to experiment with based on the convo?  I want to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Chad Williams is our guest.  Chad is a former U.S. Navy SEAL. Now he’s a speaker and a best-selling author.  Days before Chad was to report to military duty, he turned on a television and was greeted with the horrifying images of his friend and mentor, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being brutally murdered in a premeditated ambush on the roads of Fallujah.

This would have convinced most people to bail, but instead, it inspired him to double down on his dream of becoming a NAVY Seal too.  So Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. He was one of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it straight through to graduation. 

After that…  Chad served his country on SEAL Teams One and Seven… completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.  We’ll learn how his NAVY Seal training now helps him as he leads others, how he lives his life, AND how he THRIVES even in a year like 2020!  Let’s get to this!

RESOURCES:

• Chad’s Website: www.navysealchadwilliams.com
• Chad’s Signed Book: Click here.
• Chad’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/sealofgod

 

MORE ABOUT THE CHAD WILLIAMS EPISODE:

After completing his 6 years of service as a NAVY Seal, Chad went on to author the best-selling book SEAL of God.

Today, Chad has spoken at fortune 500 companies… as well as hundreds of faith-based events around the country.  He also contributes no holds barred… expert analysis related to military affairs and subjects of leadership and perseverance for major news networks… like FOX and CNN.  

Chad has… and continues… to live a DREAM THINK DO life and I’m so excited and honored to get to have this conversation with him.  PLUS… I wanted your input on the questions I should ask… and you guys sent in suggestions like crazy… so I can’t wait to get to ask some of YOUR questions too.  So we’ll also go after the following questions submitted by YOU!  Questions like: 

MENTAL TOUGHNESS:

“What kind of techniques or mental thought patterns he learned to switch from being overwhelmed by circumstances to being able to focus on doing the things that he could control?†– Julie and Dan

TEAMS AND DREAMS:

“There’s a lot of focus on self-motivation and self-perseverance in striving to achieve our DREAM. We all know SEALS are a Team, and building a team is part of success, so how do we keep our team motivated when we’re so busy doing what we need to do?†  – Jeffrey Jorgenson 

EVERYDAY LIFE:

“What’s a take-away from your time as a Navy Seal that you apply to your life every day?†– Stephanie

CHAD’S FAVORITE QUOTE (which he nails in the interview):

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.â€Â 

–  Theodore Roosevelt

 

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 2:56 Meet Chad
• 6:07 Chad’s journey to becoming a Navy Seal
• 18:50 Chad’s first day of Seal training
• 21:56 Your DNA does not determine your destiny
• 25:50 One of the most impactful sentences Chad has ever heard
• 30:32 How to switch from being overwhelmed to in control
• 34:25 How to keep your team motivated while still accomplishing tasks
• 38:23 Chad’s favorite Theodore Roosevelt quote
• 41:28 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

 

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

Okay, so what did YOU think of what Chad Williams had to say?  Which stories resonated?  What phrases and mantras got you thinking?  What clicked for you?  What didn’t?  What’s going to be something you try/apply as a result?  Let me know.  Leave a comment below.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!

Sarah Yourgrau is my guest.  She’s an Emmy-Award Winning Producer dedicated to reimagining and rebuilding the ways that we connect with each other, both on and off the screen… and she’s a self-professed “Optimism Activist.†Sarah’s traveled the globe and worked on a wide variety of projects.  Her current focus is working with Mike Rowe on “Returning the Favor.â€Â 

Her work is demanding and takes her all over the world.  Plus, since many of her projects involve REAL people and unscripted situations, that means she has to try to organize chaos… minute by minute.  As a result, she has to be intentional about her focus, and her mindset… daily.  So we’ll dig into her 5 non-negotiables for having YOUR ideal day… no matter what!

RESOURCES:

Check out Sarah Yourgrau as she meets Mike Rowe for the first time… and works her magic with Returning the Favor: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2020109721593621

• Sarah on IG: www.instagram.com/sarahyourgrau
• Sarah’s Now Tell Me Something Good: www.instagram.com/nowtellmesomethinggood
• Returning the Favor on IG: @returningthefavorshow 
• Returning the Favor on FB: www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=UMr1tXVxhuVAGvya&v=1154661701594665

 

MORE ON THE SARAH YOURGRAU EPISODE:

Listen… Sarah Yourgrau’s the real deal… and she’s had some fun adventures.  She’s worked for Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions.  Heck… she was even Maya Rudolph’s personal assistant for a year.  And my personal favorite… she’s a producer for Mike Rowe and “Returning the Favor.â€Â Â 

In fact… for years… Sarah has traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally…. creating documentaries, commercials, television series, and online content.  During that time… she has been studying resilience, optimism, hope, and community change-making… right there on the front lines… spending time with… and telling the stories of people who are making a difference and making the world a better place!

All of this has given her a truly unique perspective on the American identity.

And… I’m also excited to say… has laid the groundwork for her OWN Optimism-Generating Media company called, “Now Tell Me Something Good.”

Her company is already doing amazing work… by providing content that offers tools, insights, and best practices… not to mention great stories… that are needed right now.  It’s content that will inspire people to start and sustain work that impacts the world in a positive way.  Guys… she’s pure awesome and I’m so stoked to have her join us so let’s get to this!

 

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:29 Introducing Sarah Yourgrau
• 3:34 What is an optimism activist
• 5:56 The origin of Sarah’s optimism
• 8:32 Sarah on being a producer
• 11:39 Meeting and working with Mike Rowe
• 19:13 Specific tools to create optimism
• 19:45 Meditation
• 22:22 Gratitude
• 25:56 Dealing with curveballs
• 27:41 Believe that it’s possible
• 31:17 Where resilience meets optimism

 

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you think?  Drop me a comment below!  I want to hear from you.  What’s a favorite story or strategy from Sarah?  Let me know.

Hey… and pleasssssssssssse share this episode!  I think we can all use a little more Optimism Activism in our lives!!!  Amen?  Amen.

We’re talking with Harris III about how prayer has impacted his life and his work. Harris is a professional illusionist who has performed for more than two million people on five continents. His unique approach and innovative thinking have also caught the attention of executives at organizations like Apple, Disney, Nike, and NASA. 

His new book is called “The Wonder Switch.â€Â  I talked with him about all of THAT in episode 292 of DREAM THINK DO, so be sure to check that out.  But in this short BONUS interview, we talk about a powerful prayer experience that helped Harris to know that God wants to be in the details AND it changed the way he lived!  I think you’ll dig it!

RESOURCES:

• Harris III website: harrisiii.com
• The Book: harrisiii.com
• Harris III Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrisiii
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/harristhethird
• Twitter: twitter.com/HarrisII
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HarristheThird

 

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

Let me know what you think about his story.  Have you ever wondered whether you can talk to God about the “details†of life… especially subjects like the money?  I know I wrestled with this for a while.   Comment and let me know what you think. I can’t wait to hear from YOU! 

Harris III is a professional illusionist who has performed his unique brand of magic and storytelling for more than two million people on five continents. His unique approach to magic, story-telling, and innovative thinking has also caught the attention of creative leaders and executives at organizations like Apple, Disney, Nike, and NASA.

Harris has just written a new book called “The Wonder Switch.â€Â  In it… he shares some great stories and powerful strategies to help you reclaim your wonder and reshape your life! Since wonder is at the heart of innovative thinking and bigger ideas… this is critical… especially right now.  So let’s get to this!

RESOURCES:

• Harris III website: harrisiii.com
• The Book: harrisiii.com
• Harris III Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrisiii
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/harristhethird
• Twitter: twitter.com/HarrisII
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HarristheThird

MORE ON THE HARRIS III EPISODE:

In addition to performing around the globe… when that’s safe to do… 

Harris III has also become a visionary entrepreneur, sought-after coach, creative consultant, and a quiet producer behind a diverse list of various film and TV projects. 

I was wildly blessed to get an early copy of his new book and I can tell you that Harris taps into his experiences as a professional magician and storyteller… to help us all remember the power of WONDER.  

In fact, he’s dug deep into this concept of WONDER and uncovered some keys that can help anyone to move from feeling STUCK to living more of the life they want to live.

And before anyone is tempted to dismiss “wonder†as being all rainbows and butterflies and little ponies… it’s important that we tip our hat to the power of wonder and awe.

In fact, Socrates said…

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.â€Â  Plato followed up with… “Philosophy begins in wonder.â€Â Â 

Let’s jump a few centuries… and check-in with Albert Einstein.  He said… 

“He who can no longer pause to wonder

and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead;  his eyes are closed.â€Â 

Neil Armstrong… the first person to walk on the moon once said… “Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.â€Â 

And one of the most important authors of all times DR SEUSS was known for…  “Think and wonder, wonder and think.â€Â Â 

That’s right.  Wonder.

It’s a timeless truth that wonder is the beginning of a lot of things that are good… but it’s sooooooo easy to lose that sense of wonder too.  Right?

Well… today, Harris is going to help us dive into the subject of WONDER.  What is it.  Why is it important?  AND… how to intentionally cultivate it… to have more of the good stuff in your life.

It’s an awesome convo… that I think you’re going to love… so let’s get to it!

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:55 Meet Harris III
• 4:00 Harris’ origin story
• 11:15 Losing the wonder
• 14:03 The importance of wonder and how it’s linked to storytelling
• 16:47 Wonder gives us permission to believe
• 17:59 Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing
• 19:28 Applying wonder and awe to your life practically
• 22:17 The wonder switch
• 24:39 The impact of wonder on Imagination
• 27:36 Practical ways to apply positive creativity
• 30:15 Rewriting the script
• 37:07 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

 

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

Let me know what you think about the importance of WONDER.  Comment and let me know what you think of what Harris III had to say and what’s he’s suggesting we do to cultivate some more WONDER and AWE in our lives.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU! 

In this “WE AGREE TO PRAY†bonus episode, we’re talking with Brant Menswar. He’s an award-winning musician, popular speaker, and bestselling author. In this conversation, we dig into Brant’s journey with prayer… from the lowest points of hearing the brutal words, “Your son isn’t going to make it through the night,†to experiencing a miracle that involved people from around the world. 

Plus, we’ll talk about the very real and raw emotions (and prayers) that follow such an incredible experience.  We talk about how to walk out your faith on those days where you’re feeling 100% and on those days that you’re feeling a solid 2%.  Plus, we dig into the mechanics of how he makes prayer a part of his daily (and wildly busy) life.  I think you’re going to love it.

RESOURCES:

• Brant’s book: “Black Sheep – Unleash the extraordinary, awe-inspiring, undiscovered YOU!â€
• His podcast: “Thoughts that Rock!â€
• His band: BIG Kettle Drum: www.bigkettledrum.com
• Brant’s Website: www.brantmenswar.com

 

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What’s something that stood out to you from what Brant said?  What’s something that’s going to stick with you?  Leave a comment and let me know!

And hey… please share this episode! Your friends will thank you!

Brant Menswar is our guest. Brant’s an award-winning musician, sought-after speaker, and a critically acclaimed author and I think you’re going to love him. Let’s be clear… and consider yourself warned. Brant’s got some strong opinions… and he’s not afraid of unleashing them.

For example, Brant believes that unless you can identify your 4 to 5 non-negotiable core values… you can’t do ANYTHING on purpose.  He also believes that about 99% of us are winging it, and that’s why most people aren’t getting the results they want or living the life they were meant to live. 

He’s got some great stories and statistics to back this up… but more importantly… he’s got some powerful strategies to help us get clear and make some awesome stuff happen.  Plus, we’ll be talking about Brant’s new book called BLACK SHEEP.

RESOURCES:

• Brant’s book: “Black Sheep – Unleash the extraordinary, awe-inspiring, undiscovered YOU!â€
• His podcast: “Thoughts that Rock!â€
• His band: BIG Kettle Drum
• Brant’s Website: www.brantmenswar.com

MORE ON THE BRANT MENSWAR EPISODE:

So… we’ve all heard of Walt Disney.  He was wildly successful and he truly dreamed bigger, thought better and did more than most could imagine.

Now… even though most of the planet recognizes Walt’s name, most people don’t know that it was really Walt’s brother Roy… who helped to make a lot of that success possible.  

Walt was the visionary… and Roy was known for getting things DONE!  He was involved in making so many of Disney’s biggest wins happen.  In fact, Roy pulled off finalizing and opening Epcot Center after Walt had passed away.

Now, one of my all-time favorite quotes comes from Roy Disney.  Maybe you’ve heard it.   Roy Disney used to say… “When your values are clear, decisions are easy.â€Â 

Brilliant… right?  When your values are clear… decisions are easy.

Well… in today’s interview with Brant Menswar, we’re talking about ways to help you to get clear on YOUR values… and as a result… you’ll be able to make better decisions and feel really good about them too!  Brant’s got some great stories, some powerful strategies AND we’ll even mix in a little neuroscience to bring it all together.

 

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:40 Meet Brant
• 3:27 How “Black Sheep” began
• 3:50 Why the name “Black Sheepâ€
• 5:05 The Black sheep values we all need
• 20:15 The science behind good decision making
• 20:47 The power of feelings in decision making
• 20:20 Sometimes the truth in a room isn’t the absolute truth
• 25:20 Honor what you’re feeling in the moment
• 28:54 One of the best ways to stay in the present

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What’s something that stood out to you from what Brant said?  What’s something that’s going to stick with you?  Leave a comment and let me know!

And hey… please share this episode! Your friends will thank you!

Lori Allen - the star of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” is our guest!  We’re talking with Lori about prayer and how it plays a MAJOR role in her life.  Lori’s one of the world’s most sought-after bridal experts and she’s the central figure of TLC’s reality show Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. Lori Allen talks about prayer in her new book, “Say Yes to What’s Next: How to age with elegance and class while never losing your beauty and sass!”  But in this interview, we dig into some prayer stories and the mechanics of how she prays (pretty much… nonstop) day to day! RESOURCES: Lori’s Website: loriallen.com Lori’s Book: www.thomasnelson.com Lori’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/bridalgirl80 MORE ABOUT THE TLC’s LORI ALLEN EPISODE: As you’ll hear, Lori and I talk about how prayer is at the center of ALL she does.   Whether it’s being a bridal expert or a successful female entrepreneur… Or being a breast cancer survivor as well as a mom… a wife… prayer is right smack dab in the middle of ALL of it! This short BONUS session is packed with great stories and REAL WORLD wisdom that I think you’ll love. By the way, Lori’s been featured on CNN, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, and the Wall Street Journal… to just name a few.  So I’m excited and honored to have her join us for this BONUS “We Agree to Pray” episode of DREAM THINK DO! I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What’s something that stood out to you?  What’s something that Lori said that’s going to stick with you?  Leave a comment and let me know! And hey y'all (I’m inspired by Lori)… please share this episode!  Your friends will soooooooo thank you!

TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta’s Lori Allen is our guest!  Lori opened “Bridals by Lori” just two weeks after graduating from Columbia College in South Carolina. Four decades later, she is one of the world’s most sought-after bridal experts.  And of course… she’s the central figure of TLC’s reality show Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. By the way… the show has been running for 11 seasons and it’s shown in more than 120 countries.  Lori’s new book is called, “Say Yes to What’s Next: How to age with elegance and class while never losing your beauty and sass!”  So we’re going to be talking about ALL of that!   RESOURCES: Lori’s Website: loriallen.com Lori’s Book: www.thomasnelson.com Lori’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/bridalgirl80 MORE ABOUT THE LORI ALLEN  EPISODE: As you’ll hear, Lori and I talk about her journeys as a bridal expert, a successful female entrepreneur, a breast cancer survivor as well as a mom… a wife… and as an awesome human being.   It’s packed with great stories and timeless wisdom that I think you’ll love. By the way, Lori’s been featured on CNN, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, and the Wall Street Journal… to just name a few.   So I’m excited and honored to have her join us on DREAM THINK DO! Plus, as you’ll hear… I asked questions that YOU wanted me to ask.  So, be listening to see if I used one of YOUR questions.  #letsdothis EPISODE - MINUTE BY MINUTE: 0:02 What to expect today 4:17 Why this group and why now? 9:40  The catalyst to saying “yes, to what’s next!” 11:00 How the pandemic affected the message 12:00 Fighting back and being resilient 18:20 How Lori Allen and Monte met 21:00 Which bride left the greatest impact on Lori 22:35 How Lori takes the stress off of brides 26:40 How Lori stays healthy 29:40 Life is far from over! 30:12 Mitch's biggest takeaways I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What’s something that stood out to you?  What’s something that Lori said that’s going to stick with you?  Leave a comment and let me know! And hey… please share this episode! Your friends will thank you!  

Ashleigh S. Chapman is a human rights lawyer and an expert on human trafficking.  She’s been working hard for the past 20 years to protect the most vulnerable populations around the globe.  On this BONUS episode of DREAM THINK DO... Ashleigh shares a powerful prayer story of something that happened to her when she was out on a jog.  It’s a wild fun story of how prayer can work when you least expect it.    RESOURCES: Ashleigh is the founder of Justice U™ which is an online learning platform that quickly delivers knowledge from experts in the anti-trafficking movement to massive audiences who need it, with the tools every modern learner needs today. Built to help anyone with a desire to make a difference.  WE AGREE TO PRAY: If you’d like to join us for “WE AGREE TO PRAY,” simply click here: www.weagreetopray.com.  MORE ON THIS Ashleigh S. Chapman - BONUS EPISODE: This is a BONUS episode, so we’re talking with Ashleigh S. Chapman about the power of prayer and how it’s played out in her life.  Listen in for an amazing story and some great insights on prayer too!!! By the way, my FULL interview with Ashleigh can be found here:  www.mitchmatthews.com/286. It’s an INCREDIBLE episode because Ashleigh has a dream of ending human trafficking in our lifetime.   To that end, she is the founder of Justice U™ which is an online learning platform that delivers training from some of the top experts in the anti-trafficking movement.   She’s working around the globe to do her part to end human trafficking.  For example, Ashleigh has helped the Senate of Mexico establish its first comprehensive legislation to combat human trafficking.  Plus, she is serving as an advisor to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to create the “End Modern Slavery” Act.   And she’s led training in over 100 cities and in eight different nations.  Absolutely amazing work. I can’t wait to dig into how this all got started… what’s she’s learned so far and to get her perspective on what’s next!   LET’S HERE FROM YOU!: What stood out to YOU from Ashleigh’s story?   I want to hear from YOU!   Leave a comment below… and let us know what you think!

Ashleigh S. Chapman is our guest today.  Ashleigh is a human rights lawyer and an expert on human trafficking. She’s been working hard for the past 20 years to protect the most vulnerable populations.  Among her many efforts… Ashleigh is the founder of Justice U™ which is an online learning platform that delivers training from some of the top experts in the anti-trafficking movement… and delivers it in a way that everyone to better understand the specific things they can do to help end human trafficking.  She’s working domestically and internationally.  For example, Ashleigh has helped the Senate of Mexico establish their first comprehensive legislation to combat human trafficking.  She is serving as an advisor to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to create the “End Modern Slavery” Act.  Shes helping to establish the Freedom Council which is an assembly of business leaders and global companies dedicated to the cause of ending human trafficking.  And she’s led training in over 100 cities and in eight different nations.  Absolutely amazing work. I can’t wait to dig into how this all got started… what’s she’s learned so far and to get her perspective on what’s next!  Let’s get to this!     RESOURCES: Ashleigh is the founder of Justice U™ Justice U™ is an online learning platform that quickly delivers knowledge from experts in the anti-trafficking movement to massive audiences who need it, with the tools every modern learner needs today. Built to help anyone with a desire to make a difference.    MORE ABOUT THE Ashleigh S. Chapman EPISODE: Welcome to episode 286 of DREAM THINK DO!  We’re digging into a wildly important subject today, and I’ll be the first to admit… it’s a heavier subject.  But… as you know with dream think do… we don’t shy away from important topics… especially if we can help you to see some places where you can be making a difference.  AND… if we can share an inspiring story. In this episode… we get to do both. The topic is ending human trafficking in our generation. The story is of one person who decided that even though she’s just one person… she thought she’d try to make a difference right where she was at.  And as you’ll learn… she started small and now she’s helping whole countries on initiatives to stop human trafficking.  It’s an amazing interview and I think you’re going to love it. By the way, while more and more people are becoming aware of the presence of human trafficking, very few understand it. Therefore, very few know how to stop it. Get these statistics:  Human trafficking is a $150 billion-a-year industry  Sadly… it’s one of the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises It happens closer to home than one would imagine, affecting more than 40 million people worldwide That means human trafficking impacts 1 in every 200 people Whether you’ve got a passion for helping to end human trafficking… or like our guest… you might feel called to take on a challenge that seems insurmountable… I’m betting today’s episode will inspire you to start small… and to keep moving forward on that dream to make a difference!  MINUTE BY MINUTE: 0:02 What to expect today 1:40 Meet Ashleigh 4:03 How Ashleigh became passionate about fighting human trafficking 9:06 What human trafficking looks like in 2020 12:11 The most trafficked demographic 14:01 How you can create change in your area 17:44 Tips for prevention 26:45 What to do when your dreams feel too big 30:04 How to get involved 31:18 Mitch’s biggest takeaway 32:32 What's coming up on DTD I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What stood out to YOU from this conversation with Ashleigh?  Was it a statistic about human trafficking?  Was it a specific approach?  Or was it a story?  Let me know what you connected with! I want to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment below.  Let’s keep this important conversation going!  

Bonus Episode with Ben Courson! Ben’s an international speaker, bestselling author, and his TV show, Hope Generation with Ben Courson is broadcast around the world. NOTE: I also had a great interview with him for episode 284 of DREAM THINK DO.  (Be sure to check that out: www.mitchmatthews.com/284)  Since we’re walking out our “WE AGREE TO PRAY” project this month… I wanted to get Ben’s perspective on prayer.  So… in this BONUS session, he agreed to stick around to talk about how it’s played out in his life.   We cover a lot of ground in about 10 minutes!  We talk about neuroscience and prayer.  We dig into the subject of how waiting on God can be HIGHLY offensive and at the same time… the absolute PERFECT thing to do. #realtalk We also talk about the “Seed vs. Switch” mentality… and why that matters now more than ever!  I think you’re going to love it!  Let’s get to it…   RESOURCES: Sign up to join us for WE AGREE TO PRAY: www.weagreetopray.com.  Ben’s Latest Book: Flirting With Darkness.   Ben’s website:  www.bencourson.com You can follow Ben on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.    I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! So… what stood out to you?  What’s something that got you thinking?   Oh…. and how about you?  Any good stories on how prayer has played out in your life?  Any questions about it? I’d love to hear from you!  Hit me up in the comments and let’s keep this conversation going! And again… I want to invite you to join us for WE AGREE TO PRAY!  You can find out more and sign up at: www.WeAgreeToPray.com.    

Ben Courson is our guest.  He’s an international speaker, bestselling author, and his TV show, Hope Generation with Ben Courson, is broadcast in 180 countries, and his radio show airs on more than 400 stations nationally. His latest book is called “Flirting With Darkness.”  In it, Ben talks about his own journey with overcoming depression and battling thoughts of suicide.  He also offers up some specific strategies that you can use if you’ve ever been tempted by suicidal thoughts… or if you know someone who’s wrestling with that.  World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10th… AND because all of the stuff with Covid-19 and all the wildness that 2020 had thrown… we thought it would be a really important subject to cover and wildly relevant time.  So let’s get to this!     RESOURCES: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English & Spanish. PHONE: 1-800-273-8255 WEBSITE:  suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Ben’s Latest Book: Flirting With Darkness.   Ben’s website:  www.bencourson.com/ You can follow Ben on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.    MORE ABOUT BEN COURSON EPISODE: Okay, guys… we’re going after a big and important topic today.   Get this: Every 40 seconds… someone… somewhere in the world… takes their own life. There are 123 suicides a day in the US alone.  Now… that statistic floored me but this next statistic broke my heart: the second leading cause of death in the world for people aged 15 to 24 is suicide. I know… I know… this is a heavy subject… but you know that with this podcast... we’re all about helping you to dream bigger… think better and do more of what you were created to do.  And if we’re going to be true to that mission… and take this mandate seriously... that means we can’t shy away from tough topics.  And that’s exactly why I’m excited we’re talking with Ben Courson.   MINUTE BY MINUTE: 1:30 This is an important topic 2:27 Meet Ben 6:48 Why Ben is passionate about this topic 10:35 When Ben knew he needed help 13:31 How to fight depression 17:08 Go on adventures with God 19:47 Building relationships 23:21 Choosing to fight 27:57 Ben’s favorite dream quote 29:00 Mitch’s biggest takeaways   I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! So… what stood out to you?  What’s something that got you thinking?   Oh…. and how about you?  Any good stories on how prayer has played out in your life?  Any questions about it? I’d love to hear from you!  Hit me up in the comments and let’s keep this conversation going! And again… I want to invite you to join us for WE AGREE TO PRAY!  You can find out more and sign up at www.WeAgreeToPray.com.  

There’s so much division and polarization in the world right now. BUT at the same time, I think there’s a pendulum swing that’s happening too. There seem to be more and more people who are saying, “Enough!” Let’s find some common ground and let’s work from there to find real solutions. They’re looking for a place to start! Because that’s what we do… when we are at our very best. We find a way to find a way. We find a way to band together to help. We find a way. That’s where the “We Agree to Pray” project comes in. We don’t have to agree on everything, but what if a small group of people could come together to say, “We AGREE to pray.” What might happen? Well… let’s talk about that!     RESOURCES: To sign up for WE AGREE TO PRAY, go here: WeAgreeToPray.com. Episode 282: “Empathy - A Secret Weapon for Thriving in a Divided World.”  Click here: mitchmatthews.com/282 Mitch’s “6 Miracle Story.”  Click here.   We AGREE TO PRAY PROJECT EPISODE MINUTE-BY-MINUTE: 0:02 What to expect today 2:00 Are you sick of the polarization? 3:15 Why Mitch Learned from a Derecho 8:09 The human spirit 10:56 The phrase that sparked the idea 13:47 The power of prayer and what to do when you feel “the nudge” 27:11 What’s coming up in September 32:21 Will you join us? 34:43 How to join   MORE ABOUT THE EPISODE: Recently, on an early morning drive… I was reminded of how we… as human beings… find a way.  That’s right.  When we are at our best, we find a way to help each other, encourage each other, push each other and come alongside each other. That idea planted a seed. What could we do… if we gave ourselves permission to find some common ground?   As I was praying about this question, I got hit with a phrase. “We Agree to Pray.” Well… I’ll be honest.  At first, I pushed back on the idea.  I thought, “People can't seem to agree on ANYTHING right now.  They can’t agree on big stuff like politics, COVID… or the little stuff like who makes the best French Fry or how to eat an Oreo. But… WHAT IF? What if a ragtag group of us was willing to put aside our differences for a month? What if we… a group of very different people… took a month to pray for healing, hope, grace, unity, solutions and breakthroughs?   What might happen? Now… here’s the deal.  Prayer may not be your thing.  If that’s the case… TOTALLY cool.  No harm no foul.  We’re good.  And hey… if you want to drop out of this episode… that’s totally fine.  We can TOTALLY still be friends AND you are still TOTALLY part of the DREAM THINK DO family.  Because we are TOTALLY willing to recognize and honor our differences and our similarities here! At the same time… if prayer IS your thing… or you’ve always been curious about it… cool.  Let’s keep talking. See… prayer hasn’t always been big for me.  But over the years… prayer has brought me a lot of peace, hope, strength, grace, AND love.  PLUS… it’s also become a part of our core business strategy and something I depend on as we navigate the wild waters of life (especially in 2020!!!). Now, I don’t do it perfectly.  When I pray… it’s messy.  It ain’t poetic.  It’s not beautiful.  #IloveJesusbutIcussalittlebit  But it has become powerful… and amazing.   In the episode, I share some examples, plus I mention our “6 Miracle Day.”  (Click here to read that story: mitchmatthews.com/our-6-miracle-story/ Most importantly, we’ve seen the power of prayer help people to experience a sense of peace, hope, and strength.  And we’ve seen incredible things happen when a group of people comes together to pray. So… for the month of September, we’re wanting to do something we’re calling the WE AGREE TO PRAY project. It’s where people from all walks of life agree to pray… together. We’ll send out a daily email to: Offer some encouragement Provide a shared prayer focus for the day Share some stories and breakthroughs

EMPATHY: The Secret Weapon for Thriving in a Divided World!  In this episode, we talk about a surprising conversation that opened my eyes to the importance of EMPATHY… especially right now!  (That’s right… 2020!)  In this episode, you and I take a deep dive into the power of empathy.  But more importantly, we give you some tools, some strategies and some science!  Plus, we introduce you to the idea of “JOY SHARING.”  That’s right!  It’s a concept that can help you to experience more joy and share it with others too!  I think you’re going to dig it… so let’s get to it!   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN EPISODE: EPISODES MENTIONED: My interview with BEN STEIN:mitchmatthews.com/history-doesnt-repeat-it-rhymes-with-ben-stein My interview with LINDSAY PALMER: mitchmatthews.com/lindsay-palmer-create-your-opportunities\  MINUTE BY MINUTE: 0:02 What to expect today 1:15 Storytime 4:48 The power of empathy 7:34 Healing division 11:57 Empathy’s connection to happiness 14:24 One of Mitch’s favorite quotes 18:56 Share more joy feel more joy 21:19 Connect with Mitch MORE ON THE EPISODE:  Over the 4th of July… our family got together with one of our favorite people… Ben Stein.  He’s a history teacher our boys had.  He has a true passion for history, government, politics and the human condition.  We got together… socially distanced and safely of course.  We got caught up and then we did what we do… we started to talk HISTORY and current events.  We had an AWESOME conversation. We didn’t agree on everything… but we brought up issues of the day… as well as linked stories to our history.  Some of the stuff… we totally agreed on and some of the stuff… we didn’t.   But we were able to have this deep… enlightening… fun… awesome conversation.  Family was there.  We were pigging out on all sorts of unhealthy food too.  Which I’m sure helped. But at one point… I asked a question.  It was partly hypothetical… and partly because I legitimately was open to his answer. I said, “Okay… we’ve talked about a ton of different issues… some of which we’ve agreed on and some not so much, but it’s been amazing. You’ve opened my eyes to some things, and I think I may have pointed you to a few things too.   What’s at the heart of that? He responded with one word.  “Empathy.” We were willing to have empathy for each other. It was sooooo true!  Now… I’m fascinated by psychology, communication and interpersonal dynamics.  I get lost in leadership theory.  So, of course, I knew the word.  But in that moment… it just hit me.  It was a truth I needed to be reminded of! Empathy. In the moment… I totally agreed… and then we moved on to more topics.  But the concept of empathy stuck with me.  So I kept digging into it.  And some of the things I’ve found led me to believe that it is truly the Secret Weapon for Thriving in a Divided World! Seriously… I don’t want to over hype it… but the growing science and understanding behind EMPATHY is incredible.  I dug in and I wanted to share a little bit of you… so you could understand this Secret Weapon better… and use it more. Because when you understand empathy… you tend to connect with people at deeper levels, you create more trust AND… some new research is pointing to how empathy can actually make you a happier person too!  So let’s dive in.  EMPATHY DEFINED: One Definition for empathy is: "The ability to understand the feelings of another.” It does NOT mean you need to agree... but simply the willingness and ability to understand and honor the feelings of another person.  Another definition is: “The ability to sense other people's emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.” A third says, “Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, and emotionally connecting with another human being.” And right now... this is sooooo needed and sooooo healing!

Jake Thompson is an entrepreneur, performance coach, podcaster, speaker, and author.  He’s also the CEO of Compete Every Day… a training and performance apparel company with kick-butt clothing to help you stay healthy, motivated, ambitious, and hungry!  His podcast is called “Compete Every Day,” and he interviews competitors from all walks of life and they talk about the specific things they do to win and succeed.  And lastly, Jake’s brand new book was just released and it’s killing it.  The book is called… surprise… surprise… “Compete Every Day.”   In it Jake shares the seven key choices leaders and globe changers can make to enhance their focus, increase their success, and win at work and life… EVEN during a pandemic!  We’re going to talk about what it means to COMPETE EVERY DAY… and how we can make some KEY choices to help us succeed more… and live more of the life we were meant to live!  I’m so looking forward to this so let’s get to it!   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN EPISODE: WEBSITE: www.competeeveryday.com PODCAST: podcast.competeeveryday.com BOOK: www.competeeveryday.com   MORE ON THE Jake Thompson EPISODE: Welcome to episode 281 of DREAM THINK DO.  I’m so stoked to get you this interview… because in it, we’re going to get you some specific ways to beat “Pandemic Fatigue.” I mean seriously… beat it back with a stick!  We’re going to dig into some strategies to help you not only survive… but thrive… RIGHT NOW. Honestly… that wasn’t what I was originally planning to focus on in this interview… because we’re talking with an expert on competition and resilience.  This is a guy who helps athletes… as well as people from all walks of life… perform at their best. But when we started to dig into some of the specific things top athletes do to perform at world-class levels… we started to bring the conversation to applying them to help you to navigate some of the rough stuff that’s hitting us right now. Whether you want to call it “Pandemic fatigue” or “COVID fatigue” it’s rampant.  It involves the feelings of being drained, overwhelmed, frustrated… especially because we’re not sure when all of this stuff is going to get better.  And if we let it… pandemic fatigue can totally drain our energy… our creativity… our performance.  And heck… even our ability to experience joy and peace. Well… if you can relate to this… and… deep down… you’ve been looking for some solutions… I can’t wait to get you this episode.  I can tell you that when I got done with recording the episode… I started to apply some of the things we talked about IMMEDIATELY.  And I can say that it’s already started to help.  And that’s what I want for you. I’m hoping you listen and then set an intention to do something new.  Something small but significant to not only survive but thrive… EVEN now!  So let’s do this! MINUTE BY MINUTE: 0:02 What is going down today 2:46 Get to know Jake Thompson 4:00 Conversation starts 4:42 The difference between competition and comparison 7:32 When Jake found that personal competition is key 15:57 Perseverance and grit 20:28 How Jake has coached his team during the pandemic 20:23 Staying focused on your priorities and goals 29:30 Final thoughts 30:46 Mitch's biggest takeaways   I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What do you think?  What stood out to you from this convo with Jake? I loved each of his suggestions… but one specific thing I started to do IMMEDIATELY was to put some specific stuff on my calendar to look forward to.  Things for work.  Things for family and friends.  Quick adventures.  They don’t have to be BIG things (although I did schedule some ACTUAL travel - don’t worry… I’ll do it safely!).  They can be small but intentional things.  But I can already feel a difference.  Those milestones are SO important… especially right now!  What did you dig?  What did it stir up? I want to hear from YOU! 

Daniel Scrivner… he’s a true DREAM THINK DOer.  He’s a self-taught designer who got his start freelancing and eventually joined DDB - an advertising firm in Venice Beach.  Then… he moved to San Francisco and joined Apple's Marketing Communications team… where he got to work on several landmark product launches and projects.  In 2011, Daniel left Apple and joined the small team at Square.  He went on to become Square's Director of Design… where he grew his team from 5 to 40… and his team touched almost every aspect of Square's design.  During that same time, Square went public… and was valued at over $3.6 billion.  In 2016, Daniel left Square and founded Blackletter Ventures… and has become an investor in more than 30 companies.  Daniel has also become a trusted advisor to brands like Nike, Disney… and he speaks on design and entrepreneurship around the world.  Which brings us to what he’s up to now.    RESOURCES: Daniel’s website: www.danielscrivner.com Investments: www.blackletter.com  Daniels new Podcast: Outliers: www.outliers.fm/ Daniel references the book, “HOW WILL YOU MEASURE YOUR LIFE” by Clayton Christensen.  Here’s an article in the HBR about the story behind it.  FLOW: Daniel wants to give DREAM THINK DOers would like to give 25% off their first year with Flow. You can sign up for free at www.getflow.com and use promo code "DREAMTHINKDO" when you subscribe. BONUS INTERVIEW: Daniel and I extended our conversation to talk about leadership and life!  Check out this bonus interview for some pure gold insights on stretching yourself, continuing to innovate and living life to the fullest!  ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT Daniel Scrivner EPISODE: Characterized by his refined aesthetic and ability to work at the highest level across mediums, Daniel is recognized as a leader in his field.  Get this… his client roster includes organizations like Apple, Square, Nike, Disney, and Target, and his accolades include a D&AD Black Pencil for Apple.com, a nomination to Kleiner Perkin's Design Council under John Maeda, and several "Best Of" awards in both Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store. As you’ll hear in our interview, Daniel is a self-taught designer, who’s worked his way up to now being CEO of Flow.   Daniel has been invited to speak at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including Andreessen Horowitz, General Assembly, Designer Fund, and 500 Startups.  A California native, Daniel now lives on five acres up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado with his bride, Bre, and their dog, Sunny.  With clients and investments across the US, he spends most of the time in Colorado, with many trips to California and New York when it’s safe to do so! MINUTE BY MINUTE SHOW NOTES: 0:02 What to expect today 1:25 Get to know Daniel 4:09 Conversation starts 4:56 How David got into design 12:28 The correct way to think about self education 15:08 Daniel’s journey from designer to CEO 18:02 Give yourself permission to go all-in 20:05 Put in the work to create better opportunities 21:17 The one thing Mitch wants to know 26:06 Know yourself 27:26 Recognize your weakness in a healthy way 31:09 Mitch’s biggest takeaways 31:11 How to see bonus footage   I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What do you think?  What stood out to you from this convo with Daniel? I have to say I love his devotion to continually learning.  That core belief has allowed him to push through and have some AMAZING experiences.  Apple. Square.  Now… FLOW.  Pretty dang cool!  Plus, that devotion keeps him stretching and achieving at new levels.  Love that.   What did you dig?  What did it stir up? I want to hear from YOU!  Comment here or you can connect up with me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know.   I can’t wait to hear YOUR thoughts! #letsdothis #bestyearyet For more podcasts click here

Vishen Lakhiani joins us for DREAM THINK DO.  Vishen is the founder and CEO of Mindvalley - a leading online personal growth education company.  He’s also written TWO New York Times best-selling books and we dig into both. One is “The Code of the Extraordinary Mind” which we’ll tap into at the backend of the interview… to get you a powerful and really useful six-step process to help with daily meditation and prayer.  We’ll also be digging into his brand new book, “The Buddha and the Badass, - the secret spiritual art of succeeding at work.”  During the interview, we’ll talk about what being a Spiritual badass even means… and more importantly… how you can tap into it to improve your work, your relationships, and your life.       RESOURCES: Vishen’s books: The Code of the Extraordinary Mind: click here The Buddha and the Badass: click here Mindvalley: click here  Vishen’s 6-Phase Guided Meditation: Vishen Lakhiani SHOW NOTES: This week we’re talking about what it means to integrate the power of our spiritual self into our everyday life.  Plus, we’ll get you some incredible strategies to help you to do just that. Vishen Lakhiani ’s passion and drive to unite humanity and challenge the status quo, he has built a movement of growth-seekers, spanning across 195 countries, engaging more than 15 million followers on social media, and nearly half-a-million Mindvalley students each year. He describes his childhood schooling experience in Malaysia as “forgettable.” As a young adult, he envisioned going to school in the United States and fulfilled that dream when he attended the University of Michigan but it just didn’t click with the formal concept of education. These experiences, along with finding his passion and purpose, ignited a dream of evolving the way the world does education—and so he created Mindvalley.  Vishen’s first book, The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, which challenges you to reject the inherited world’s rules and expectations that hold you back.  It was released in 2016 and since then many professional athletes, top entrepreneurs and political leaders point to the book as changing their lives and careers.  In June 2020, his second book The Buddha And The Badass became an instant bestseller, debuting at No. 9 on the ‘Advice / How To’ list, and it quickly hit #1 on the Wall Street Journal’s bestseller list.  We talk about both books in the interview… including Vishen’s 6 phase meditation process.   Here’s the minute-by-minute breakdown of the episode: 0:02 What to expect today 0:34 Meet Vishen Lakhiani 4:40 The value of meditation 8:10 Spirituality is a legitimate business strategy 13:10 Being a spiritual badass 14:30 6 phase meditation 20:00 What does 6 phase meditation look like practically? 21:44 Final thoughts and recognizing human duality   I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What do you think?  What stood out to you from the conversation? I know I’m going to try out the Vishen Lakhiani ’s 6 Phase meditation and I’ll let you know how it goes.   What do you agree with?  What don’t you agree with?  Either way… I want to hear from YOU!  Comment here or you can connect up with me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know.   I can’t wait to hear YOUR thoughts! #letsdothis #bestyearyet For more podcasts click here

This episode is for someone who has a big idea but is feeling stuck.  The idea keeps getting bigger in your mind, but that’s making it harder and harder to find a place where you can start!  Whether it’s writing that book, starting that business, launching that website, or shifting your career… deep down you know it’s time but you’re feeling like you keep running into a brick wall.  Well… this episode is for you!  I give you 3 simple but powerful strategies in about 15 minutes to help you to get started, get momentum, and get that big idea done!  So, let’s get to it!     RESOURCES: Eric Reis and the Lean Startup: theleanstartup.com Mitch’s Book: IGNITE! www.ignitethebook.com    MINUTE BY MINUTE SPEED BOATS, NOT CRUISE SHIPS! SHOW NOTES: 0:02 What to expect today 1:01 Thanks for the feedback 3:16 The phrase that will help you get “unstuck” 8:13 Progress over perfection 10:11 Evaluate and adjust 10:30 What Mitch learned from his first book 14:11 What to do on your lunch break   I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What do you think?  What’s a “speed boat” you’re going to put in the water?  What’s a way that you can do something small but significant this week with that awesome… the big idea of yours?   Let me know! Comment here or you can connect up with me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know there!  I can’t wait to hear from YOU! Let’s kick butt… let’s break free of all this pandemic fatigue and make the rest of the year amazing… no matter what.  Who’s in?  I’m betting you are! #letsdothis #bestyearyet Read more about our latest Podcasts.